Adjustable belt



May 12, 1970 LCHERNUCHIN ADJUSTABLE BELT Filed April 4. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

FIG.3

FIG. 2

FIG.4

FIG. 7

INVENTOR ISRAEL CHERNUCHIN ATTORNEYS Y ,1970 [.CHERNUCHIN 3,510,919

ADJUSTABLE BELT Filed-April 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5

FIG. 6

INVENTOR ISRAEL CHERNUCHIN ATTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,510,919 ADJUSTABLE BELT Israel Chernuchin, 10549 Valparaiso St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90034 Filed Apr. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 718,818 Int. Cl. A44b 11/00 US. Cl. 24-74 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable belt device in which the end of the belt extends through a clamp, with the belt having an extension beyond the clamp to permit the end portion of the belt to be raised to loosen the clamp without the use of tools, a stop on the end portion of the belt to prevent the belt from becoming separated from the clamp, and a buckle attached to the clamp by means of a strip of material having two overlapping loops and an extension that overlies and conceals the clamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to adjustable apparel belts.

The prior art Apparel belts often are made adjustable in length so that one belt can be usde to fit a wide variety of sizes. This is advantageous from a merchandizing standpoint because it greatly reduces the inventory that must be stocked. With only a relatively few belts on hand, the merchant nevertheless is assured that he will always have an adequate supply of belts to satisfy the demands of his customers. In the conventional adjustable belt, a clamp is carried by the buckle, and the strap portion of the belt extends through the clamp. The customer adjusts the belt to the proper length by loosening the clamp and then pulling an appropriate portion of the strap through the clamp to leave a desired amount extending from the buckle. The clamp then is closed and the excess material is cut off.

One of the problems encountered with belts of this type is that the clamp is quite difiicult to open. For most persons, it is virtually impossible to open the clamp without the use of a suitable tool to fit beneath the clamp edge to pry it open. This makes it difiicult to properly adjust the belt. On the other hand, despite the normal difficulty in opening the clamp, there are occasions when the clamps become inadvertently loosened as the belts are handled and displayed. When that occurs, the strap portion falls free from the buckle and the two parts of the belt become separated. Frequently, one or the other will be lost.

belt in which it is both simple to open the clamp and in which the belt cannot become separated inadvertently from the buckle. For'opening the clamp, the end portion of the belt may be provided with a tab, which permits it to be lifted away from the area of the buckle. When this is done, the material of the belt is caused to lift on the movable portion of the clamp to open the clamp. This provides an easy means of opening the clamp without the use of a tool. Alternative to using the belt for this purpose, the clamp element may be provided with a raised portion which permits a finger to be inserted beneath the clamp to open it up without a tool.

When the lift tab is used, it imparts an extra thickness to the end of the belt. As a result, the end of the belt cannot be pulled through the clamp because there is Fee insufficient clearance at the open part of the clamp. Therefore, even when the clamp is opened, the belt will not be separated from the buckle as it cannot be pulled free of the clamp. Thus, the two sections of the belt assembly are held together and will not become separated.

Other means may be utilized in preventing the end of the belt from separating from the clamp, such as the inclusion of a rivet on the belt end, which projects beyond the surface of the belt an adequate amount to prevent its being passed through the open part of the clamp. Also, in lieu of the pull tab, the belt may be made slightly longer so that it may be grasped to lift upwardly and effect the opening of the clamp.

The clamp is attached to the buckle by a strip of material having two loops, one passing through an opening in the clamp and the other around the center bar of the buckle. The two loops overlap and are held together by stitching or otherwise, while an extension overlies and conceals the clamp. This provides the belt with an attractive appearance similar to that of conventional belts of good quality.

An object of this invention isto provide an adjustable belt in which the components are retained together as a unit and will not become separated inadvertently.

Another object of this invention isto provide an adjustable belt with improved means for opening the clamp.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ad justable belt in which the clamp may be opened without the use of a tool.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an adjustable belt of attractive appearance.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the end portion of a belt and an associated buckle manufactured in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the clamp in the loosened position;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a belt and buckle assembly utilizing a rivet for the stop;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7, but with the clamp shown in the open position;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a belt and buckle assembly in which the clamp includes a raised portion for use in releasing the clamp; and

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing, the adjustable belt assembly of this invention includes a buckle 10 with which is associated a flat, flexible belt or strap 11. The latter element may be made of the materials conventionally used for belts, such as leather, plastic or a woven fabric, and it may be shaped or contoured as well as being straight as shown. The buckle 10 is attached to a metal clamp 12 by means of a strip of flexible material 13, which preferably is of the same material as that of the belt 11. In making the attachment, a loop 15 of the strip 13 is extended through an opening 16 in the base 17 of the clamp 12. An additional loop 18 is extended around the center bar 19 of the buckle 10. The loops and 18 overlap and are secured together suitably, such as by stitching 2.0. Other attaching media may be used, such as rivets, snaps, staples or heat sealing of the material of the strip 13 when plastic is used. Beyond the overlapping portions of the loops 15 and 18 is an extension 21 of the strip 13. This terminates beneath the end piece 22 of the buckle 10 and extends just beyond the edge of the base 17 of the clamp 12. Therefore, the metal clamp 12 is concealed from the exterior of the belt, and the belt has the appearance of one which is manufactured to a particular length and with a sewn on buckle, rather than being of adjustable nature.

The clamp 12 includes a pair of spaced relatively short upstanding sidewalls 24, which pivotally carry a locking member 25. The sidewalls 24 are provided with openings 26 which receive projections 27 from the ends of the locking member 25 to form the pivotal attachment (see FIG. 4).

The locking member 25 is generally L-shaped in cross section, being made up of a first portion 28 that is adapted to engage the belt strap 11 and a second portion 29 that overlies the end portion of the belt when the clamp is closed. The portion 28 on its distal edge includes teeth 30 that engage the surface of the belt 11 when the clamp is in. the closed position of FIGS. 1-5. The teeth 30 becomes embedded in the adjacent surface of the belt 11, and force the opposite surface tightly against the base portion .17 of the clamp 12. Consequently, the clamp holds the belt 11 securely and will not allow it to shift its position relative to the clamp.

Secured to the end of the belt 11 beyond the clamp 12 is a tab 32. This may be a loop of material sewn to the opposite sides of the end of the beltstrap 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Other attaching media, such as rivets, snaps, staples and heat sealing, also may be used.

The loop 32 is utilized in loosening the locking member 25 of the clamp so that the belt 11 may be adjusted relative to the buckle 10. The clamp is actuated very easily, simply by lifting the tab 32 away from the buckle 10. When the tab 32 is moved in this manner, the end portion of the belt 11 pushes on the outer edge of the section 29 of the lock member 25. This causes the section 29 of the lock member 25 to act as a lever that moves the lock member to the released position, as shown in FIG. 6, where the teeth 30 are moved away from the surface of the belt. Consequently, the belt 11 no longer is confined by the clamp and is free to slide through the space between the lock member and the base portion 17 of the clamp. This allows the end of the belt 11 to be moved through the clamp to shorten the belt to an appropriate length beyond the buckle. When this is done, the lock member 25 again is moved back to the position of FIG. 5, clamping the belt 11 in a new location. The excess of material extending beyond the clamp 12 then is cut off and the belt is ready for use. Thus, by being able to loosen the lock member 25 by a simple pull on the tab 32, the adjustment of the belt is accomplished much more readily, and the necessitv for prying tools is avoided.

When the lock member 25 is open, as indicated in FIG. 6, the end portion of the belt to which the tab 32 is attached cannot be separated from the clamp 12. This is because the end of the belt where the tab 32 is secured has a greater thickness than the spacing between the opened lock member 25 and the base portion 17 of the clamp. Consequently, the end of the belt cannot be pulled through this opening, and the connection between the belt 11 and the buckle 10 is maintained. Therefore, even if the lock member should become looseed during handling of the belt, the components of the belt nevertheless will be held together. There is no danger of the belts becoming separated from the buckle and the parts becoming lost. Thus, the tab 32 serves a dual function in providing a means for loosening the locking member 25 of the clamp 12,

4 and also cooperating with the end of the belt 11 to prevent separation of the belt from the buckle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stop that prevents separation of the belt from the buckle is provided by a rivet rather than a tab loop as in the previously described arrangement. Thus, the end of the belt 34 beyond the clamp 35 receives a small rivet 36. The length of the rivet 36 is greater than the spacing between the lock member 37 and the base 38 of the clamp 35 opposite from the lock member. Consequently, when the clamp is loosened as shown in FIG. 8, the end of the belt 34 cannot escape through the narrow gap between the lock member 37 and the base 38. The rivet, therefore, serves the purpose of preventing the separation of the belt from the buckle.

It is particularly simple to merely extend the rivet through the end of the belt to provide the stop for holding the components of the belt together. However, this arrangement lacks the convenience of the tab 32 in accomplishing the release of the lock member of the clamp. The design of FIGS. 7 and 8 still allows the end of the belt to be used as the means to loosen the clamp, however, rather than requiring a tool for this purpose. It is preferred to make the belt 34 slightly longer than its normal dimension so that there is a portion extending beyond the clamp 35 when the belt is assembled for sale. This provides an end section of the belt which may be grasped to lift against the lock member to rotate the lock member to the released position.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the clamp may be opened without the use of tools, but the end portion of the belt is not utilized for this purpose. In this construction, the base portion 39 of the clamp 40 is similar to that described above. The lock member 41, however, in its outer portion 42 includes a raised section 43. This provides a relief so that, even when the lock has been rotated to the closed position, there is a space beneath the outwardly bent part 43. Consequently, it is possible to insert a finger into the opening provided by the raised section 43 to lift upwardly on the outer portion 42 of the locking member 41 and loosen the clamp.

'As before, a suitable stop may be utilized to prevent separation of the belt 44 from the buckle 45. In the embodiment shown, a rivet 46 is utilized for this purpose and will not pass through the clearance opening provided when the lock member is in the opened position.

The arrangement of this invention is applicable to apparel belts of various kinds and materials. It also may be used in connection with straps intended for other purposes.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable apparel belt device comprising a first strap of flexible material,

a buckle,

a clamp,

means attaching said clamp to said buckle,

said clamp having a pivotally movable lock portion and a surface portion cooperating with said lock portion to define an opening an end portion of said first strap extending through said opening, said lock portion being movable between a closed position in which said first strap is held between said lock portion and said surface portion and prevented from movement relative to said clamp, and

an open position in which said first strap is slidable through said opening,

an additional strap of flexible material overlapping said end portion, said additional strap of flexible material extending beyond said end portion and beyond said pivotally movable lock portion, and means securing said additional strap to said end portion of said first strap,

said additional strap and said end portion having a combined thickness dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of said opening when said lock portion is in said open position,

whereby said additional strap prevents said end portion of said first strap from sliding through said opening. 2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said lock portion includes a portion overlying said end portion of said first strap in adjacency therewith when said lock portion is in said closed position,

said portion of said lock portion being movable outwardly when said lock portion is moved from said closed position to said open position, said additional strap providing an extension at said end portion of said first strap extending beyond said portion of said lock portion for providing a means that can be gripped for deflecting said end portion outwardly for causing said end portion to move said portion of said lock portion outwardly to said open position. 3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said extena surface portion cooperating with said lock portion to define an opening,

one end portion of said first strap means being received in said opening, said lock portion including a first section having a surface engaging said first strap means at said opening, and a second section projecting forwardly of said opening toward the opposite end portion of said buckle,

said lock portion being pivotal to an open position in which said surface of said first section released said first strap means,

a second flexible strap means overlapping said end portion of said first flexible strap means beyond said clamp means, and

means attaching said second flexible strap means to said end portion of said first flexible strap means so that said second flexible strap means provides an extension means extending forwardly from said opening beyond said second section of said clamp means,

whereby upon lifting outwardly on said extension means said extension means reacts against said second section of said lock portion to cause said lock portion to pivot to said open position so that said surface of said first sion includes an open loop of flexible material secured to the end of said first strap and projecting outwardly therefrom.

section releases said first strap means, said overlapping first and second flexible strap means having a combined thickness greater than the thickness of said opening when said lock portion is in said open position for preventing separation of said strap means from said buckle.

a Strap of flexible material 7. A device as recited in claim 6 in which a buckle said lock portion is substantially L-shaped in cross a clamp, section, and means attachmg sald to smd buckle said first section having teeth on said surface said clamp including a pivotal lock member, and thereof a surface Portlon Coopm'atmg Wlth sald Plvotal said second section overlying said extension lock member to define an opening, 40 means.

an end portion of said strap extending through said opening,

said lock member including a first section having an edge engaging the surface of said strap and biasing said strap against said surface portion of said clamp for holding said strap against movement relative to said clamp, and a second section connected to said first section and extending over said end portion of said 8. A device as recited in claim 6 in which said means attaching said second flexible strap means to said end portion of said first flexible strap means comprises stitchmg extending through said first and second strap means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Strap 828,321 8/1906 Kimberly.

said second section including an outwardly n 3 35 extending portiOn remOte from Said end 42 5 /1948 Davisp Q21 1Z1 X portion of aid s p Providing 3 59 9 5 1952 Grandi a Z; 170 cess on the Side facing Said Strap and p 3 042 9 7 1962 Racette 24 170 toward the end Of S Second Section and 1 934 511 11 1933 ff il 1; X engageable to effect pivotal movement of 2067484 1/1937 Fre Si 24 74 Said ck member and for shifting said lock y nger 2,558,346 6/1951 Dinesen 24--163 member to a released positlon where sald 2 882 903 M19 R dge disengages said end portion of said 7 amlen 2 170 X 2,977,655 4/1961 Peters 2474 X strap and said strap is free to move through 60 2,913,794 11/1959 OstroWer 24163 said opemng relative to said clamp. 3 394 438 3/1968 N 1 6, An adjustable apparel belt device comprising 6 son 245178 a first flexible strap means, FOREIGN PATENTS a buckle, 18,398 10/1955 Germany.

a clamp means, means attaching said clamp means to said buckle so that said clamp means is positioned adjacent one end portion of said buckle,

said clamp means having a pivotal lock portion and BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 24-191;2-338 

